Final answer:
To treat a choking adult, encourage coughing for partial obstructions, use back blows and the Heimlich maneuver for complete obstructions, and if the person becomes unconscious, call for emergency help and start CPR.
Step-by-step explanation:
Choking in adults occurs when the airway becomes blocked, and swift action is required. For a partial obstruction, encourage the individual to cough, as coughing is the most effective way to dislodge the obstruction. If coughing does not work, deliver up to five sharp back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If a complete obstruction is evident and the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe, proceed with the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) to help dislodge the item. For an unconscious patient, call for emergency medical help immediately, then begin CPR if you're trained, checking periodically for the obstruction and attempting to remove it if seen.
If the Heimlich maneuver and back blows fail to clear the airway obstruction, or the patient becomes unconscious, call emergency services and initiate resuscitation efforts as trained. Always assess the situation quickly and respond according to the severity of the airway blockage.